JANIS VANWYHE

I have always loved and admired the North American Grizzly Bear, how they have perservered despite predation and harassment by humans. And now, they are holding their own in protected and remote wildlands, despite the innate fear that we humans may have when within their range. Despite the conflicts between those who graze livestock on public lands and fear the predation by these large omnovores, these bears perservere. That does inspire me. But really, my inspiration was the birth of my first son. I, in an overly hormonal state, realized that I could and would kill to pretect that little being, that blodd of my blodd. This total reversal of my previous philosophy of life surpriesed, scared and amazed me, but, I still feel that wy. Thus, I do understand the bear's point of view when surprised on a trail with humans bwtween her and her cubs.